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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Eric Liddell: He finished the course

By Rex Butler, NOBTS Eric Liddell is best known from the Academy Award-winning movie Chariots of Fire, as the Scottish sprinter who refused to run on Sunday. This dialogue often is remembered: “I believe God made me for a purpose – for China. But He also made me fast! And when I run, I feel His pleasure.” Although Eric never actually spoke these words in this form (they are from the movie), they communicate his devotion to God and the ways he lived it out. Eric’s parents, James and Mary Liddell, were missionaries in China, where he was born on Jan. 16, 1902. When Eric was 5, his father took a furlough to Scotland, and Eric did not return to China until he did so as a missionary in 1925. During his early years, Eric was described as shy and “weedy.” Eventually, he blossomed into quite an athlete, excelling in running and rugby, although he did not outgrow his shyness so readily. As a runner, he became known as the “Flying Scotsman.” His ungainly gait was unorthodox: he pumped his knees almost to his chest, churned his arms wildly, and, toward the end of the race, threw his head back as if to look at the sky instead of the finish line. His competitor, Harold Abrahams, once remarked: “People may shout their heads off about … [Read more...]

Questions We’ve Pondered

By Bill Warren, NOBTS Question: What does James 1:16 mean when it says that we’re to confess our sins to one another? Bill Warren responds: From a biblical perspective, we should confess our sins to the one from whom we seek forgiveness, as 1 John 1:9 indicates. Regarding confessing our sins to God: We confess our sins to God when we seek forgiveness from God, for only He can forgive sins that are against Him. And we confess our sins to others when we have sinned against them, seeking forgiveness from those whom we have negatively impacted. Of course, all sin is against God in that anything that we do, say, or are that is below the image and likeness of God, the original design for us and that of which we fall short, is sin. So the damaging of God’s creation of our lives by living life at a level below what God desires is sin. Such sin can be seen as rebellion against God, failure to live up to God’s standards, a misuse of God’s creation, or in many other ways, but the main point is that if sin is against God, then the confession needs to be to God specifically. So how does James 5:16 fit into this? Let’s consider the larger context of James 5:14-16: The context of confessing sin in v.15 is that of a sick person who may … [Read more...]

First Shreveport focuses on its homefront

Submitted by philip on Mon, 07/15/2013 - 13:47 Members of First Baptist Shreveport took a mission trip at home during the week of June 9-15. By Staff, Baptist Message SHREVEPORT – While summer is often a time when churches take mission trips around the world, during the week of June 9-15, First Baptist Church of Shreveport, took a mission trip at home. Members under the direction of Pastor Jeff Raines took off time to serve and to learn in their own community by partnering with local agencies including: the Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana, Community Renewal, Shreveport-Bossier Rescue Mission, Providence House, Volunteers of America, the Fuller Center for Housing and the Ark-La-Tex Crisis Pregnancy Center. First Baptist Shreveport partners with these groups throughout the year, but this week provided a special, focused time on the mission field in Shreveport, the pastor said. “Thank you, Shreveport, for the privilege of serving with you,” Raines said. Select rating Give it 1/5 Give it 2/5 Give it 3/5 Give it 4/5 Give it 5/5 Give it 1/5 Give it 2/5 Give it 3/5 Give it 4/5 Give it 5/5   … [Read more...]

Louisiana Milestones

Arrivals/Departures Evangelist Jack Daniels died June 22. Lakeside Baptist Church in Metairie has disbanded. Winn and Jackson Baptist Associations have disbanded to form the new North Central Baptist Association. DOM: Clovis Sturdivant. David Abernathy is new as interim pastor of Trinity Baptist Ruston. Lane Moore is new as director of missions for Northwest Louisiana Baptist Association. Will (wife Amber) Simmons is new as pastor of North Keithville Baptist. Chad (wife Sandy) Wilson is new as associate pastor of North Keithville Baptist. Keith (wife Fontaine) Simmons is new as music minister of North Keithville Baptist. Melvin (wife Linda) Sharry is new as pastor of Bethsaida Baptist in Ida. Danny (wife Tameka) Mitchell Jr. is new as pastor of New Elizabeth Baptist in Shreveport. Needed/Giving Hope Community Church in Chauvin needs two student missionaries to serve children/youth and outreach evangelism community events. Call 985.594.5572 or email Pastor Randall Gill at randallgill@gmail.com. Magnolia Baptist Holden seeks a part-time youth leader. Call Phil Pankey at 225.567.3132 for more info. Pastor: Berkley Boyd. Homecomings, Anniversaries, Revivals McDonald Memorial Baptist Jonesboro: Homecoming July … [Read more...]

FOCUS ON LC: Louisiana College fulfills mission, promise to La. Baptists

Submitted by philip on Mon, 07/15/2013 - 13:51 By John Willie, LC Communications PINEVILLE – Louisiana College’s mission is in part “to change the world for Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit.” During this coming year the college is continuing to fulfill that promise to Louisiana Baptists and to all who enroll for study. We are excited about the academic possibilities for students entering and returning to Louisiana College for the fall semester 2013. Louisiana College boasts a world class faculty offering courses covering more than 80 various academic programs. Students can expect to be academically challenged and prepared for careers in various fields. The college’s education program is proud to have 100 percent pass rates for the PRAXIS over the last two years. Prior to graduation, 96 percent of LC nursing graduates find employment. Over the last five years 95 percent of pre-law students have been accepted into law school. With a student to faculty ratio of 13:1, Louisiana College offers students a quality education in an environment where students and faculty know one another by name. It is LC’s prayer that every student who graduates from the college will not only have a degree in which they can be … [Read more...]

FOCUS ON LC: Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame displays LC’s Gottlieb’s jersey

Submitted by philip on Mon, 07/15/2013 - 13:54 Natosha Gottlieb By Jordan Meisner, LC Communications PINEVILLE, LA – Already one of the most decorated players in Louisiana College and American Southwest Conference history, LC forward Natosha Gottlieb has received one of the highest honors a female basketball player can attain: The All-American will have her jersey displayed in the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in Knoxville, Tennessee. The Women’s Basketball Hall Of Fame, whose mission is the “Honor the past, celebrate the present, and promote the future” of women’s basketball, will display Gottlieb’s jersey in their “Ring Of Honor” display at the museum in Knoxville beginning this summer. The Ring of Honor currently has more than 100 jerseys on display; after Gottlieb’s historic career in Pineville, her jersey also will be part of the historic display. More information on the display, as well as information related to the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, can be found by calling the Hall of Fame’s Director of Basketball Operations, Josh Sullivan, at 865.633.9000. … [Read more...]